Adjustable mounting device for mounting an optical engine in a display apparatus

ABSTRACT

An adjustable mounting device includes a base, first and second linearly displaceable support units, and first and second tiltable support units. The first linearly displaceable support unit is mounted movably on the base, and is operable to move along a first axis relative to the base. The first tiltable support unit is mounted pivotally to the first linearly displaceable support unit, and is operable to pivot about a second axis relative to the base. The second linearly displaceable support unit is mounted movably on the first tiltable support unit, and is operable to move along the second axis relative to the base. The second tiltable support unit is mounted pivotally to the second linearly displaceable support unit, and is operable to pivot about the first axis relative to the base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an adjustable mounting device, more particularly to an adjustable mounting device for mounting an optical enaine in a display apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional optical engine 1 is normally mounted on a platform 21 in a display apparatus 2, and is capable of projecting images onto a display screen 22 of the display apparatus 2. Mounting of the conventional optical engine 1 must be precise so as to accurately project the images onto the display screen 22. However, once the conventional optical engine 1 is mounted on the platform 21, the position thereof cannot be adjusted. Therefore, it is required to repeat the mounting-dismounting process until the conventional optical engine 1 is at the desirable position. This not only creates inconvenience and trouble to manufacturers, but is also time-consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable mounting device for mounting an optical engine in a display apparatus.

According to the present invention, there is provided an adjustable mounting device that includes a base, first and second linearly displaceable support units, and first and second tiltable support units. The first linearly displaceable support unit is mounted movably on the base, and is operable to move along a first axis relative to the base. The first tiltable support unit is mounted pivotally to the first linearly displaceable support unit, and is operable to pivot about a second axis relative to the base. The second linearly displaceable support unit is mounted movably on the first tiltable support unit, and is operable to move along the second axis relative to the base. The second tiltable support unit is mounted pivotally to the second linearly displaceable support unit, and is operable to pivot about the first axis relative to the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating mounting of an optical engine in a display apparatus in the prior art;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an adjustable mounting device according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating movement of a first linearly displaceable support unit relative to a base along a first axis;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating movement of a first tiltable support unit relative to the base about a second axis;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating movement of a second linearly displaceable support unit relative to the base along the second axis; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating movement of a second tiltable support unit relative to the base about the first axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the preferred embodiment of an adjustable mounting device according to the present invention is for mounting an optical engine in a display apparatus, and includes a base 3, a first linearly displaceable support unit 4, a first tiltable support unit 5, a second linearly displaceable support unit 6, and a second tiltable support unit 7.

The base 3 includes a platform 31.

The first linearly displaceable support unit 4 is mounted movably on the base 3, and is operable to move along a first axis (X) relative to the base 3. The first linearly displaceable. support unit 4 includes a first support plate 41 and at least one first guiding mechanism 40. The first guiding mechanism 40 includes a first guide slot 401 formed in one of the platform 31 of the base 3 and the first support plate 41 of the first linearly displaceable support unit 4, and extending along the first axis (X). The first guiding mechanism 40 further includes a first guide pin 402 provided on the other one of the platform 31 and the first support plate 41 and extending through the first guide slot 401. The first guide slot 401 permits limited movement of the first guide pin 402 therein along the first axis (X). In this embodiment, the first linearly displaceable support unit 4 includes four of the first guiding mechanisms 40. The first guide slot 401 of each of the first guiding mechanisms 40 is formed in the platform 31 of the base 3. The first guide pin 402 of each of the first guiding mechanisms 40 is a fastener that extends through a respective one of the first guide slots 401, and that engages threadedly the first support plate 41 of the first linearly displaceable support unit 4. It is noted herein that the present invention should not be limited to this particular aspect.

The first linearly displaceable support unit 4 further includes first and second coupling lugs 43, 44, anda first driving member 45. The first coupling lug 43 is mounted on the platform 31 of the base 3. The second coupling lug 44 is mounted on the first support plate 41 of the first linearly displaceable support unit 4, and is registered with the first coupling lug 43 along the first axis (X). The first driving member 45 extends in sequence through the second coupling lug 44 and the first coupling lug 43, engages threadedly the second coupling lug 44, and is secured rotatably to the first coupling lug 43. The depth of threaded engagement of the first driving member 45 with the second coupling lug 44 is adjustable so as to adjust the first support plate 41 of the first linearly displaceable support unit 4 along the first axis (X) relative to the base 3.

The first tiltable support unit 5 is mounted pivotally to the first support plate 41 of the first linearly displaceable support unit 4, and is operable to pivot about a second axis (Y) relative to the base 3. The second axis (Y) is transverse to the first axis (X) in this embodiment. The first tiltable support unit 5 includes a pair of first pivot lugs 51, a second support plate 52, and a second driving member 53. The first pivot lugs 51 are mounted on the first support plate 41 of the first linearly displaceable support unit 4, and are registered with each other along the second axis (Y). The second support plate 52 is formed with a pair of second pivot lugs 521 that are registered with the first pivot lugs 51 along the second axis (Y). The second support plate 52 is mounted pivotally to the pair of first pivot lugs 51 by mounting rotatably the second pivot lugs 521 of the second support plate 52 to the first pivot lugs 51, respectively. The second driving member 53 extends in sequence through the first support plate 41 of the first linearly displaceable support unit 4 and the second support plate 52 of the first tiltable support unit 5, engages threadedly the first support plate 41 of the first linearly displaceable support unit 4, and is secured rotatably to the second support plate 52 of the first tiltable support unit 5. The depth of threaded engagement of the second driving member 53 with the first support plate 41 is adjustable so as to pivot the second support plate 52 of the first tiltable support unit 5 about the second axis (Y) relative to the base 3.

The second linearly displaceable support unit 6 is mounted movably on the first tiltable support unit 5, and is operable to move along the second axis (Y) relative to the base 3. The second linearly displaceable support unit 6 includes a third support plate 61, and at least one second guiding mechanism 60. The third support plate 61 is mounted movably on the second support plate 52 of the first tiltable support unit 5. The second guiding mechanism 60 includes a second guide slot 601 formed in one of the second support plate 52 of the first tiltable support unit 5 and the third support plate 61 of the second linearly displaceable support unit 6, and extending along the second axis (Y). The second guiding mechanism 6o further includes a second guide pin 602 provided on the other one of the second support plate 52 and the third support plate 61, and extending through the second guide slot 601. The second guide slot 601 permits limited movement of the second guide pin 602 therein along the second axis (Y). In this embodiment, the second linearly displaceable support unit 6 includes four of the second guiding mechanisms 60. The second guide slot 601 of each of the second guiding mechanisms 60 is formed in the second support plate 52 of the first tiltable support unit 5. The second guide pin 602 of each of the second guiding mechanisms 60 is a fastener that extends through a respective one of the guide slots 601, and that engages threadedly the third support plate 61 of the second linearly displaceable support unit 6.

The second linearly displaceable support unit 6 further includes third and fourth coupling lugs 63, 64, and a third driving member 65. The third coupling lug 63 is mounted on the second support plate 52 of the first tiltable support unit 5. The fourth coupling lug 64 is mounted on the third support plate 61 of the second linearly displaceable support unit 6, and is registered with the third coupling lug 63 along the second axis (Y). The third driving member 65 extends in sequence through the fourth coupling lug 64 and the third coupling lug 63, engages threadedly the fourth coupling lug 64, and is secured rotatably to the third coupling lug 63. The depth of threaded engagement of the third driving member 65 with the fourth coupling lug 64 is adjustable so as to adjust the third support plate 61 of the second linearly displaceable support unit 6 along the second axis (Y) relative to the base 3.

The second tiltable support unit 7 is mounted pivotally to the second linearly displaceable support unit 6, and is operable to pivot about the first axis (X) relative to the base 3. The second tiltable support unit 7 includes a pair of third pivot lugs 71, a fourth support plate 72, and a fourth driving member 73. The third pivot lugs 71 are mounted on the third support plate 61 of the second linearly displaceable support unit 6 and are registered with each other along the first axis (X) .The fourth support plate 72 is formed with a pair of fourth pivot lugs 721 that are registered with the third pivot lugs 71 along the first axis (Y). The support plate 72 is mounted pivotally to the pair of third pivot lugs 71 by mounting rotatably the fourth pivot lugs 721 to the third pivot lugs 71, respectively. The fourth driving member 73 extends in sequence through the third support plate 61 of the second linearly displaceable support unit 6 and the fourth support plate 72 of the second tiltable support unit 7, engages threadedly the third support plate 61 of the second linearly displaceable support unit 6, and is secured rotatably to the fourth support plate 72 of the second tiltable support unit 7. The depth of threaded engagement of the fourth driving member 73 with the third support plate 61 of the second linearly displaceable support unit 6 is adjustable so as to pivot the fourth support plate 72 of the second tiltable support unit 7 about the first axis (X) relative to the base 3.

After assembly of the adjustable mounting device is completed, an optical engine (not shown) is mounted on the fourth support plate 72 of the second tiltable support unit 7 so that the adjustable mounting device is operable to adjust position of the optical engine in a display apparatus (not shown).

As shown in FIG.4, the depth of the threaded engagement between the first driving member 45 of the first linearly displaceable support unit 4 and the second coupling lug 44 is adjustable so as to move the first support plate 41 of the first linearly displaceable support unit 4 along the first axis (X) relative to the base 3, where the first guide pins 402 of the first guiding mechanisms 40 are guided along the first guide slots 401 (as shown in FIG.2), respectively. As the first support plate 41 moves along the first axis (X), components mounted there on and above move along the first axis (X) as well. These components include the first tiltable support unit 5, the second linearly displaceable support unit 6, the second tiltable support unit 7, and the optical engine. The depth of threaded engagement between the first driving member 45 and the second coupling lug 44 is adjusted until the optical engine is disposed at a desired location along the first axis (X) relative to the base 3.

As shown in FIG. 5, the depth of the threaded engagement between the second driving member 53 of the first tiltable support unit 5 and the first support plate 41 of the first linearly displaceable support unit 4 is adjustable so as to pivot the second support plate 52 of the first tiltable support unit 5, as well as the second linearly displaceable support unit 6, the second tiltable support unit 7 and the optical engine, relative to the base 3 about the second axis (Y). The depth of the threaded engagement between the second driving member 53 and the first support plate 41 is adjusted until the optical engine is disposed at a desired location about the second axis (Y) relative to the base 3.

As shown in FIG. 6, the depth of the threaded engagement between the third driving member 65 of the second linearly displaceable support unit 6 and the fourth coupling lug 64 is adjustable so as to adjust the third support plate 61 of the second linearly displaceable support unit 6 relative to the base 3 along the second axis (Y) , where the second guide pins 602 of the second guiding mechanisms 60 are guided along the second guide slots 601 (as shown in FIG. 2), respectively. As the third support plate 61 moves along the second axis (Y), the second tiltable support unit 7 and the optical engine move along the second axis (Y) as well. The depth of the threaded engagement between the third driving member 65 and the fourth coupling lug 64 is adjusted until the optical engine is disposed at a desired location along the second axis (Y) relative to the base 3.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, the depth of the threaded engagement between the fourth driving member 73 of the second tiltable support unit 7 and the third support plate 61 of the second linearly displaceable support unit 6 is adjustable so as to adjust the fourth support plate 72 of the second tiltable support unit 7, as well as the optical engine, about the first axis (X) relative to the base 3. The depth of the threaded engagement between the fourth driving member 73 and the third support plate 61 is adjusted until the optical engine is disposed at a desired location about the first axis (X) relative to the base 3.

In conclusion, the present invention utilizes adjustments in the depths of threaded engagements between various components of the adjustable mounting device to permit adjustments in the location of an optical engine once the optical engine is mounted on the fourth support plate 72 of the second tiltable support unit 7 such that the optical engine can be easily disposed at a desired position in a display apparatus.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation and equivalent arrangements. 

1. An adjustable mounting device for mounting an optical engine in a display apparatus, said adjustable mounting device comprising: a base; a first linearly displaceable support unit mounted movably on said base, and operable to move along a first axis relative to said base; a first tiltable support unit mounted pivotally to said first linearly displaceable support unit, and operable to pivot about a second axis relative to said base; a second linearly displaceable support unit mounted movably on said first tiltable support unit, and operable to move along the second axis relative to said base; and a second tiltable support unit mounted pivotally to said second linearly displaceable support unit, and operable to pivot about the first axis relative to said base.
 2. The adjustable mounting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base includes a platform, said first linearly displaceable support unit including a support plate and at least one guiding mechanism, said guiding mechanism including a guide slot that is formed in one of said platform and said support plate, and that extends along the first axis, and a guide pin that is provided on the other one of said platform and said support plate, and that extends through said guide slot.
 3. The adjustable mounting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first linearly displaceable support unit includes: a support plate; first coupling lug mounted on said base; a second coupling lug mounted on said support plate, and registered with said first coupling lug along the first axis; and a driving member engaged threadedly with said second coupling lug and secured rotatably to said first coupling lug.
 4. The adjustable mounting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first tiltable support unit includes: a pair of pivot lugs mounted on said first linearly displaceable support unit and registered with each other along the second axis; a support plate mounted pivotally to said pair of pivot lugs; and a driving member engaged threadedly with said first linearly displaceable support unit and secured rotatably to said support plate.
 5. The adjustable mounting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second linearly displaceable support unit includes a support plate and at least one guiding mechanism, said guiding mechanism including a guide slot that is formed in one of said first tiltable support unit and said support plate, and that extends along the second axis, and a guide pin that is provided on the other one of said first tiltable support unit and said support plate, and that extends through said guide slot.
 6. The adjustable mounting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second linearly displaceable support unit includes: a support plate; a first coupling lug mounted on said first tiltable support unit; a second coupling lug mounted on said support plate, and registered with said first coupling lug along the second axis; and a driving member engaged threadedly with said second coupling lug and secured rotatably to said first coupling lug.
 7. The adjustable mounting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second tiltable support unit includes: a pair of pivot lugs mounted on said second linearly displaceable support unit and registered with each other along the first axis; a support plate mounted pivotally to said pair of pivot lugs; and a driving member engaged threadedly with said second linearly displaceable support unit and secured rotatably to said support plate. 